Experts are closely monitoring how A/H1N1 influenza in the southern hemisphere, where the death rate from the virus is rising in some countries, to help predict what might happen in the United Kingdom over the winter months.

The first wave of swine flu in England has passed its peak in recent days, indicate figures from the Health Protection Agency that show a substantial decrease in the overall number of new cases, doctors’ consultations, and use of the pandemic flu service.